The Barnstable Board of Health heard a number of suggestions, but no objections to its proposed interim wastewater regulation at a May 27 hearing.

The regulation would impose tighter septic treatment requirements for about 60 percent of the town.

"This has been about 10 months gestating, so it's nice to see it finally start to move," said board chairman Dr. Wayne Miller.

The septic proposal is based on reports from the Massachusetts Estuaries Project and is aimed at limiting the amount of nitrogen that gets into the groundwater in affected watersheds.

The interim regulation is seen as a step toward the day when Barnstable adopts a comprehensive wastewater plan for all areas.

The interim regulations propose to limit septic discharge to 440 gallons per day per 40,000 square feet of lot area. That represents four bedrooms.

Buildable lots of 20,000 square feet and under will be limited to half of that, or two bedrooms. Lots with existing dwellings are limited to 440 gallons of discharge per day or whatever is presently permitted, whichever is greater.

As the meeting started, Miller made clear that there would be no decision that afternoon. A follow-up meeting for additional comment is scheduled for June 16 at 7 p.m. at town hall.

Comments were typically not framed as support or non-support, but offered as considerations to improve implementation.

An exception was long-time former health board chairman Susan Rask, who supported the concept. Rask agreed with the approach to adopt a temporary measure to keep the coastal problem from getting worse. She said that while 440 gallons per acre per day is not protective of coastal environments, it's a starting point to keep things from getting worse until the town adopts a comprehensive wastewater policy.

Environmental consultant Arlene Wilson offered a number of language clarifications, but also saw an opportunity to encourage the easy fixes for nitrogen.

"I see this as a big chance to address lawn issues," Wilson said. Fertilizers account for about 20 percent of the nitrogen load, but she said they’re also among the easiest to control.

Wilson also saw a need for specific methodology to calculate nitrogen-loading requirements.

Eliza Cox, an attorney with Nutter, McLennan and Fish in Hyannis, agreed that there should be some nitrogen loading calculations spelled out. She also saw a need to define boundary lines that bisect single lots.

Cox also suggested that zoning-exempt properties, such as schools and churches, be exempted from the septic regulation as well.

Jim Crocker, the Osterville town councilor, addressed the board as a private citizen. He is a real estate agent and developer by trade and also a certified septic system inspector.

After offering comments on the accuracy of projected wastewater flows and the unlikelihood of sewering areas with larger lot sizes, he applauded the board's measured approach. He also put in a word for what those affected by the regulations may face.

"I think we're in a difficult economic time and we need to be sensitive to that," Crocker said, "and I think we need to be sensitive to the small entrepreneur who may need a home office."